AGP Executive Report

Kansas Primary Countdown: Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab says turnout is up for the Aug. 4 primary, with closed primaries requiring party affiliation for races, while ballot questions don’t. He also warns voters not to rely on the mail-ballot grace period amid shifting court rulings. Judicial Selection Amendment Push: A “Vote No Drag Show” in Lawrence is set for Aug. 1 to mobilize voters against the proposed Kansas Supreme Court selection change, with local groups tabling and performances aimed at getting people to the polls. Higher Education Leadership: The Kansas Board of Regents selected Jennifer Bonds-Raacke as president and CEO, effective Aug. 2, replacing Blake Flanders. Public Safety & Courts: A Kansas farmer, Steven Porubsky, pleaded guilty to selling USDA-collateral crops; sentencing is set for Nov. 3. Infrastructure Tragedy: A pickup crash on I-135 near Salina killed a construction inspector and injured four workers. Local Governance: Kingman County scheduled a zoning hearing Aug. 24 on battery energy storage systems (BESS). Topeka/Statehouse Watch: A letter to the editor and related debate continue over the Supreme Court amendment and judicial selection rules.

Conversion Therapy Fight: Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach demanded Lawrence, Prairie Village, and Roeland Park repeal their conversion therapy bans after a U.S. Supreme Court ruling said the bans violate the First Amendment. Election Mail Watch: With the Aug. 4 primary looming, Kansas election officials are urging voters to avoid mail if they want early ballots counted, as scrutiny grows over USPS processing and Trump’s push for more control of mail balloting. Healthcare Costs: A bipartisan push in Congress would require hospitals to post real, full prices—not just estimates—under the Patients Deserve Price Tags Act, with Kansas Sen. Roger Marshall backing it. Local Safety: A pickup crash hit a Salina-area work zone on I-135, killing one worker and injuring two others; Kansas Highway Patrol is investigating. Public Safety & Privacy: A southeast Kansas officer was arrested after allegedly videotaping a minor in a bathroom, facing charges including breach of privacy and official misconduct. Food Labeling: UPF legislation advanced in the Senate, raising the stakes for warning labels and limits on junk-food ads aimed at children.

Kansas Elections: A Kansas appeals court kept the 3-day grace period for counting mail-in ballots in place for the Aug. 4 election, denying an emergency stay sought by Secretary of State Scott Schwab. Topeka Public Safety: Topeka officials confirmed raw video from an officer-involved shooting that killed Jessica Treat was shared with her family under the city’s new transparency policy; the KBI is investigating. Local Homelessness: Douglas County Commissioner Erica Anderson’s review says the city and county may not hit the “functional zero” homelessness goal by 2028, pushing for a deeper look at the plan. Law & Courts: A federal case is moving against a Kansas man accused of sexual assault on a Delta flight, with charges filed after an alleged incident aboard an aircraft. Transit Safety: A Lawrence Transit survey found most riders feel safe overall, but the downtown stop across from the library is the standout concern, with many citing loitering and fights. Community & Housing: In downtown KCK, work is underway to convert the former UMB Bank tower into apartments and a new headquarters as revitalization efforts gain momentum.

Kansas Courts & Elections: Kansas Secretary of State urges voters to use VoteKansas.gov as the Aug. 4 primary nears, highlighting the portal’s voter info, sample ballots, and results tools. Judicial Selection Amendment: A statewide ballot question would replace the Kansas Supreme Court Nominating Commission with direct elections for justices, starting in 2028, while keeping retention elections under a “NO” vote. USDA Reorganization: USDA is pushing ahead with relocating thousands of employees to hubs including Kansas City despite a lawsuit and warnings of “brain drain.” Food Safety & Public Health: A growing cyclosporiasis outbreak is exposing weaknesses in the food safety system, with Kansas among nine states reporting cases. Immigration & Voting Rights in the Courts: The Trump administration asks the Supreme Court to pause lower-court blocks to changes targeting mail-in voting ahead of the midterms. Rail Regulation: Union Pacific and Norfolk Southern add shipper protections as the Surface Transportation Board reviews their transcontinental merger. Local Law Enforcement: Parsons police terminated an officer accused of secretly recording a juvenile in a bathroom in Labette County. Southwest Kansas Incident: An overnight domestic violence standoff in Clark County ended peacefully with an arrest.

Voting Rights & Courts: Kansas Court of Appeals rejected Sec. of State Scott Schwab’s emergency bid to end the mail-ballot grace period, keeping ballots postmarked by Election Day valid if received within three days. Election Administration: Shawnee County election officials urged mail voters to send ballots ASAP as the state’s grace-period fight heads through appeals. Education & Open Government: A federal judge ordered Lawrence Public Schools to pay $113K in attorney fees after finding open-records violations tied to student-monitoring software. School Policy Compliance: Lawrence is moving toward a state-mandated bell-to-bell cellphone ban, with limited exceptions for medical needs and IEP/504 plans. Civil Rights Enforcement: DOJ threatened to sue Kansas City, Kansas Public Schools over transgender student guidelines, alleging FERPA noncompliance. Kansas Politics & Campaigns: Kansas’ Aug. 4 primary is nearly here, with candidates pressing on representation and district boundaries in the 1st Congressional District race. Local Governance & Public Safety: Emporia police arrested a teacher for clapping during a city meeting tied to zoning for a proposed data center. Sports & Eligibility: KU guard Melvin Council Jr. is suing the NCAA seeking another year of Division I eligibility. Public Services: Kansans say they’re still waiting on state tax refunds, citing long delays and difficulty getting answers. Local Economy/Infrastructure: Darana-Heartland Motorsports Park’s future looks uncertain after staff departures and canceled events following IHRA cuts.

Kansas-Czech Ties: Kansas Lt. Gov. David Toland joined Czech officials in Prague to sign a cooperation statement aimed at boosting business, research, arts, and cultural links between the two states. Food Safety & Health: A report says cyclosporiasis spread was preceded by weakened federal food-tracking enforcement and surveillance funding cuts, raising new questions about how Kansas and other states detect outbreaks. Public Safety in Wichita: A 2-year-old was found safe after a violent domestic incident triggered an AMBER Alert and a citywide search using tools like license-plate tracking. Privacy vs. Surveillance: A new national push highlights how “total surveillance” infrastructure is quietly expanding beyond visible camera systems, with Kansas communities watching closely. Consumer Protection Fight: State attorneys general are ramping up consumer enforcement as federal protections are rolled back, focusing on affordability and alleged price gouging. Topeka Community Life: A Topeka mural project is credited with helping residents—especially kids—feel pride in their neighborhoods. Healthcare Data Demand: KFF reports the federal Consumer Product Safety Commission is seeking detailed emergency-room medical records, sparking alarm from hospital leaders. Kansas Education Tech Rules: A new Kansas law restricts student personal device use and limits coach-to-student social media contact, with fall sports recruiting concerns.

Kansas Politics & Courts: Kansas Secretary of State Scott Schwab is warning voters to plan for the mail-in ballot grace period to disappear again after a judge temporarily restored it, with the Aug. 5 primary looming. Public Safety: Wyandotte County is marking the one-year anniversary of Deputy Elijah Ming’s death in a Kansas City, Kansas shooting while Kansas courts continue to process serious cases. Health Watch: KDHE says Kansas cyclosporiasis cases are now at 289 as investigators continue tracing the outbreak tied to recalled Taylor Farms iceberg lettuce. State Government: Gov. Laura Kelly announced the retirement of Kansas Water Office Director Connie Owen, citing major water-plan updates and funding milestones. Local Government: Brown County commissioners approved items including a CDBG project completion extension and discussed infrastructure and solid waste needs. Immigration Enforcement: A Mexican national was sentenced to 21 months for helping stage “victim” robberies to fraudulently obtain U-visas. Law & Order (Local): Wichita police say an Amber Alert for a missing child was resolved and the child is safe, with the father taken into custody.

Kansas Supreme Court Amendment Fight: Early voting is underway for the Aug. 4 primary, where Kansans will decide a constitutional amendment that would change how Kansas Supreme Court justices are selected—supporters frame it as voter power, while opponents warn it would turn the court into a political, donor-driven institution. Election Rules & Access: Douglas County Clerk Jamie Shew is urging voters to understand Kansas’s new mail-ballot rule: ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day to count, with no three-day grace period. Judicial Selection Debate: Multiple opinion pieces and letters argue over whether merit-based selection should stay in place, with one side warning about partisan influence and the other calling for direct voter choice. State Government & Water Planning: Gov. Laura Kelly announced summer local consult meetings across Kansas to shape water planning and funding priorities, including stops in Hays and Colby. Local Governance & Civic Planning: Lawrence residents are pushing for sustainability to be built into the city’s Vision 2030 plan, not treated as a standalone goal, as public engagement runs through August. Public Safety & Mobility: North Kansas City Schools and BikeWalkKC launched a “Wheel Smart Bash” to teach kids safe riding as wheeled devices and e-bikes raise safety concerns. KU Policy & Trans Rights: KU staff began enforcing Kansas’s anti-trans bathroom law after a reported incident at a campus building. Housing Relief: Kansas launched an online portal letting renters seek eviction record expungement if they meet eligibility rules and timelines.

Kansas Elections & Courts: Douglas County Clerk Jamie Shew is warning voters that Kansas’ new rule ends the three-day mail-ballot grace period—ballots must be received by 7 p.m. on Election Day to count, and voters should return ballots ASAP. Voting Access: The Kansas Judicial Branch launched an online eviction expungement portal (srl.kscourts.gov/eviction-expungement) letting renters file without attorneys, with eligibility after three years without another eviction judgment. Supreme Court Ballot Fight: Kansans head to the Aug. 4 primary on a constitutional amendment that would let voters elect Kansas Supreme Court justices instead of using the current nominating commission system; the debate is already heating up. Transgender Rights at KU: KU staff began enforcing Kansas’ anti-trans bathroom law after a KU janitor was reported for using the women’s restroom, triggering HR follow-up. Public Safety & Crime: Brown County authorities arrested sex offender Sean Davidson after he was found out of compliance with the Offender Registry Act and a search turned up marijuana grinders and THC items. Drugs/Explosives Case: Great Bend police and deputies arrested Roosevelt Tyree Henderson IV after a traffic stop led to meth, hallucinogens, a firearm, and explosives found at a residence. Public Health: The cyclospora outbreak tied to lettuce continues to spread, with Kansas now included among states reporting cases.

Kansas Politics & Elections: A Topeka-area Democrat pitch for the U.S. Senate seat is heating up as Pastor Adam Hamilton argues voters should “govern” with decency against Sen. Roger Marshall. Congress & Defense: Rep. Tracey Mann backed the 2027 National Defense Authorization Act, citing support for Fort Riley and military readiness. Federal Courts & Kansas Law: A Tenth Circuit ruling upheld dismissal of major Winter Storm Uri class actions, saying federal law blocks Kansas consumer claims. Public Safety: Wichita police still seek answers in a fatal youth football game shooting from October, with a $10,000 reward and few tips so far. Local Government & Ballots: Barton County Commission District 5 candidates Stanley Behrends and Johnathan Robinson square off ahead of the Aug. 4 primary. Health & Food Safety: The CDC expanded the cyclospora outbreak tied to iceberg lettuce served at Taco Bell to include Kansas and four more states, with 1,947 illnesses reported nationwide. Energy & Housing: DOE opened up to $218.5M for tribal home energy rebates, with updated guidance and a Dec. 11 application deadline. Tech & Data Centers: Kansas residents continue pushing back on data centers, arguing they strain water and electricity needed for housing and small business.

Health Alert: The CDC expanded the cyclospora outbreak tied to Taco Bell shredded lettuce to four more states—now including Kansas—with 1,947 reported illnesses and 98 hospitalizations (no deaths), as investigators keep tracing lettuce supply chains. Elections & Money: Kansas’ four U.S. House incumbents head into the Aug. 4 primary with major cash advantages, while challengers lag in reported fundraising. Data Center Fight: A Topeka summit urged Kansas local leaders to do “homework” on data center developers, warning inexperienced players and “bad actors” could create financial and community risk. Local Governance: Ottawa residents in Franklin County are gathering signatures for an ordinance aimed at banning data centers after city negotiations tied to a proposed 300-acre technology campus. Agriculture: USDA is pressing Congress for $11.1 billion in emergency farm aid as Southeast Kansas producers face weak prices and high costs. Public Health & Policy Tools: A new Kansas dashboard tracks Affordable Care Act enrollment by county and legislative district to help lawmakers gauge policy impacts.

Kansas Supreme Court Amendment Fight: Kansas Appleseed’s “Justice for All” forum spotlights the push to keep the current Supreme Court nominating process, with supporters arguing the Nominating Commission method has worked for decades and warning a public vote could reshape who even runs. Airport Security Privatization: TSA workers’ union is pushing back as more airports move toward private screening under TSA Gold+, with Kansas City already in the broader TSA Screening Partnership Program. Immigration Pressure in Wichita: Residents in Wichita’s NoMar neighborhood say increased ICE activity is making them feel “helpless,” raising questions about motives and community impact. Early Voting Logistics: Wyandotte County opens early in-person voting Saturday, with multiple locations and extended hours—an August primary setup that could matter for turnout. Public Health Watch: Kansas reports cyclosporiasis cases near 300 as investigators continue looking at a lettuce-linked outbreak. Kansas Economy & Agriculture: CME Group plans sorghum basis futures, with Kansas elevators tied to delivery—another sign Kansas agriculture is getting more market tools.

Topeka Police Use-of-Force: A woman was shot and killed by a Topeka officer inside the Townsite Tower after police say she emerged from a crash holding a large knife and moved toward bystanders, prompting commands to drop the weapon before the officer fired. Local Public Safety: Wichita reported a TikTok “door-kicking” trend, with experts warning kids can face real legal consequences beyond property damage. Education & Tech Policy: Shawnee Mission Schools voted to limit generative AI access on district systems and tighten rules on student device use, including stronger discipline and clearer expectations for personal phones. Kansas Voting Access: Barton County voters lost a Hoisington ballot drop box after damage; early voting is underway and the county is still unsure whether it will be replaced. Elections Law Fight: The SAVE America Act debate ramps up nationally, with critics saying proof-of-citizenship and stricter ID rules would suppress turnout. AI Data Center Costs: Trump expanded a voluntary “Ratepayer Protection Pledge” aimed at keeping AI data center power upgrades from raising household bills, adding nearly 200 stakeholders. Local Government & Housing: Kansas City approved emergency repairs for a troubled apartment complex, with costs tied to a special tax lien on the property.

Public Health: Kansas health officials say cyclosporiasis cases tied to recalled iceberg lettuce have climbed to 289, with hundreds still under investigation as KDHE works with local partners to trace exposures. Elections: Early voting is underway in Johnson County, but the election office’s decision to cut eight early voting sites is drawing criticism from voters and the ACLU over access concerns ahead of the Aug. 4 primary. Courts & Governance: A federal judge let Gov. Laura Kelly keep representing Kansans in a lawsuit challenging Trump administration grant funding cuts, even as AG Kris Kobach disputes who can sue. Education Policy: The Legislature approved $12 million for Kansas’ six universities tied to adopting anti-DEI/CRT definitions, with the Board of Regents certifying its policy to the State Finance Council. Kansas Supreme Court Ballot: Organizers are making final pitches on the amendment that would replace the current merit-based selection of justices with direct elections. Public Safety: Northwest Kansas authorities detained three after a group fled an attempted traffic stop near Goodland, while deputies continued monitoring overnight. Local Economy/Politics: The Kansas City Chiefs released first concept images for a $3 billion enclosed stadium in KCK, aiming to open in 2031.

Construction Safety: Gov. Laura Kelly signed Senate Bill 366, banning handheld phone use in Kansas school and construction zones, with warnings for a year and a $60 fine starting July 1, 2027. KCK Chiefs Stadium: The Chiefs unveiled first renderings of a $3 billion domed stadium in Kansas City, Kansas, with a 70,000-seat plan and 20,000+ parking spots—while Mayor Christal Watson says the exact location inside the Star Bond District is still not finalized. Public Health: KDHE reports 289 Kansas cyclosporiasis cases in 2026 and says some are tied to the national outbreak linked to Taylor Farms de Mexico iceberg lettuce; case counts update weekly. Elections & Voting Rules: Kansas elections officials are pressing a legal fight over mail ballot grace periods, as voter ID debate continues nationally. Local Community & Nonprofits: Topeka Correctional Facility residents volunteered with Comfort Cases to pack foster-care backpacks for children. Workforce: KANSASWORKS hosts a statewide virtual job fair July 24-26 for jobseekers and employers. Data Centers Backlash: Kansas residents are among those pushing back as OpenAI boosts data center spending and more states consider moratoriums.

Kansas Courts & Elections: Kansas GOP pushes a constitutional amendment that would replace the merit-based Kansas Supreme Court selection process with statewide elections, a shift critics say would “turn would-be justices into politicians.” Statehouse & Policy: The Kansas Right to Travel Act is formally submitted, arguing current vehicle registration and licensing fees amount to an unconstitutional tax on a fundamental right. Education & Civil Rights: The U.S. Department of Justice gives KCK Public Schools 14 days to respond after DOJ alleges federal law violations tied to transgender student policies. Federal Courts: A judge rules the Trump administration misused grant authority to revoke billions in federal funding based on shifting priorities, protecting already-awarded money for states. Public Safety: The FBI Kansas City reports World Cup anti-trafficking operations in Kansas City, including 19 arrests and nine children found. Local Governance & Growth: Lawrence residents organize against incoming data center proposals, warning about farmland, water, and energy impacts. Kansas Politics: Kansas House primary profiles spotlight candidates Max Dibble and Cody Ward, with property taxes and rural special education funding front and center.